Ready, set, splash: Outdoor pool and beach season begins
As summer approaches, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation will open two outdoor pools and staff lifeguards to nine swimming beaches on Saturday, May 16, 2026, marking the start of another season of outdoor water recreation.
Outdoor aquatic season schedule
Registration for our first swim times on May 16 opens via Showpass on Wednesday, May 13, at noon. Visitors can continue to book sessions three days in advance for the remainder of the season. During the season, we recommend pool users reserve online in advance. Twenty-five percent of spaces will be allocated for drop-in sessions; however, admission is not always guaranteed depending on demand.
The outdoor pool season is scheduled to conclude on Monday, September 7, 2026, at Second Beach, Maple Grove, and Hillcrest outdoor pools. The season at Kitsilano and New Brighton outdoor pools is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Kitsilano Pool – scheduled opening mid-June
Kitsilano Pool is more than 50 years old and in its end-of-life phase which means annual maintenance and potential repairs will continue to be necessary. Staff are preparing the pool for the upcoming summer season, with a targeted mid-June opening following the completion of seasonal maintenance and final inspections.
New Brighton and Second Beach pools – hours of operation
All swim times are Monday through Sunday.
| New Brighton | Second Beach |
|---|---|
| 7:30am to 9:30am lengths swim | 8am to 10am public swim |
| 10am to 1pm public swim | 10:30am to 1:30pm public swim |
| 1:30pm to 4:30pm public swim | 2pm to 5pm public swim |
| 5pm to 8pm public swim | 5:30pm to 8:30pm public swim |
Maple Grove and Hillcrest Outdoor pool will open on Monday, June 15.
Beaches
From May 16 to September 7, lifeguards will supervise designated swimming areas at the following beaches:
- Spanish Banks West
- Spanish Banks East
- Jericho
- Locarno
- Kitsilano
- Sunset
- English Bay
- Second
- Third
Supervised swimming areas will be marked by red and yellow flags from 12 pm to 8 pm daily. These hours will change later in the summer season as days become shorter. More information on beaches here.
Concessions
Park Board beach and park concessions are now open for the season, serving up a fresh mix of food and beverage options with a focus on sustainability and local suppliers. This year’s offerings include classics like fish and chips, burgers, frozen treats and cold drinks. Items unique to individual locations include fresh squeezed lemonade, fish tacos and ramen. For contact information and offerings, please visit our website.
Spray parks and wading pools
Spray parks will open to the public from May 16 to September 30, operating between 9 am to 9 pm daily (with the exception of Lumberman’s Arch which operates 9 am to 7 pm).
Supervised spray parks, summer playground programming, and wading pools are staffed during peak attendance times. Staff supervise these parks from June 29, through until September 6, 2026.
For specific park hours and operating dates, please visit our website.
Alcohol on beaches
From May long weekend to September 30, adults over the age of 19 will be able to bring and consume alcohol at the following beaches between 11 am to 9 pm:
- Jericho Beach
- Spanish Banks
- Locarno Beach
- Second Beach (Stanley Park)
- Kitsilano Beach
- John Hendry / Trout Lake Beach
Drinking is not permitted at English Bay Beach, Sunset Beach Park and Third Beach (Stanley Park).
When consuming beverages in parks and beaches (alcoholic or not), do not bring any glass bottles or containers as broken glass poses an injury risk to beachgoers. Please bring cans, reusable and/or plastic or paper-based containers instead.
Beachgoers are reminded to avoid entering the water when intoxicated. Visitors are expected to be considerate of others by keeping noise and behaviour appropriate, and by respecting shared public spaces. Please help keep beaches and greenspaces clean by properly disposing of trash or taking it with you when you leave.
For a list of parks and beaches where drinking is allowed in Vancouver, visit vancouver.ca/alcohol-in-parks
Non-motorized watercraft
Beachgoers canoeing, kayaking, rowing, dragon boating, outrigging, paddle boarding, surf skiing, windsurfing, small craft sailing, kite surfing and boarding can launch from the following locations:
- Kitsilano Beach
- Spanish Banks East (this is the only designated kite surfing launch location)
- Spanish Banks West
- Sunset Beach
The Sunset Beach launch location has strong currents and busy boat traffic. It is not recommended for novice users. Consider Kits Beach or Spanish Banks East or West as alternative launch sites.